Kuznetsov’s goal leads Capitals past Isles 2-1 in Game 7

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Skating around every opponent on the ice, rookie Evgeny Kuznetsov scored the go-ahead goal with less than 7 1/2 minutes left in Game 7, and Braden Holtby only needed to make 10 saves Monday night, lifting the Washington Capitals past the New York Islanders 2-1 in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Kuznetsov scored the sort of athletic, breathtaking goal his better-known Russian teammate, Alex Ovechkin, often does, taking the puck from the right boards and heading across the ice before sending a rising shot over sprawling goalie Jaroslav Halak.

Joel Ward gave Washington a 1-0 lead late in the second period, and Frans Nielsen pulled New York even early in the third.

The Capitals next face the New York Rangers.

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